Either one nature phenomenon the long-awaited and rare is the solar eclipse. It is known that this eclipse occurs when the sun, moon and earth are in parallel orbits. So the moon will block the light emitted by the sun.
Solar eclipse, specifically a total solar eclipse, occurs only once every few years. Therefore, many sky observers and people are waiting for it. The earth will darken instantly when there is a solar eclipse. But this eclipse also has several types.
In addition, there are also two types of shadows produced. It is also known that many solar eclipses are associated with certain myths so that there are impacts that do occur naturally. For more details, see the explanation below.
What is a Solar Eclipse?
NASA explains that a solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks sunlight from reaching the earth. This causes a solar eclipse. The moon will block sunlight from reaching the earth. The moon will cast a shadow on the earth.
Meanwhile, Space explain that solar eclipse occurs when the moon is between the earth and the sun, and the moon will overshadow the earth. Solar eclipses can only occur during the new moon phase, when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth and its shadow falls on the earth’s surface.
in fact, eclipse occur due to the coincidence of mechanics and timing. When the moon was formed 4.5 billion years ago, this celestial body would move away from the earth about 4 cm every year. This is what causes the eclipse. Both solar and lunar eclipses.
It is known that a solar eclipse occurs once every 18 months in a region of the earth. Meanwhile, the duration of a lunar eclipse can last for several minutes, while what has happened is 7 minutes 32 seconds. The duration varies due to the size of the moon and the sun which seems to change at that point in its orbit.
Types of Solar Eclipses
1. Total Solar Eclipse
This type of eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun. Therefore, the corona will be visible. It is known that the corona (sun) is the outermost part of the sun. The moon will cut off all the sunlight that normally radiates to earth. When a total solar eclipse occurs, there will be a small path visible from the earth.
2. Partial Solar Eclipse
This type of solar eclipse occurs when the moon is not in the middle of the line between the sun and the earth. Therefore, the moon only partially covers the sun. This is explained by Harrington in his book entitled Eclipse! (1997).
He explained that this type of eclipse is visible at many points outside the path of a total or annular eclipse. As for what is visible on earth, only part of it is because the umbra does not intersect with the earth, but only passes through the area above the polar regions. Therefore, this eclipse does not cause as much darkness as other types of eclipses.
3. Ring solar eclipse
Harrington (1997) also explained that an annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is right in the middle of the sun and the earth. So that the size looks smaller and only the edge of the sun is visible. Therefore, you will see light resembling a bright ring around the moon. Likewise with the moon that looks very dark.
4. Mixed Solar Eclipse
Solar eclipses are also known as hybrids or hybrids. This eclipse occurs between a total eclipse and an annular solar eclipse. The surface will look like a total eclipse. Meanwhile, at another point it will look like an annular eclipse. It is known that this type is extremely rare.
Types of Shadows in a Solar Eclipse
1. Umbra
Again quoting from the official site NASA, The umbra shadow will get smaller when it reaches the earth. Umbra is the dark center of the moon’s shadow. Certain areas that are in the center of the umbra will see a total eclipse. The umbra is also defined as the deepest and darkest part of the shadow an eclipse produces. This is because the light source is completely blocked.
2. Penumbra
Unlike the umbra, this type of shadow will get bigger when it reaches the earth. For areas that are at the penumbra point will witness a partial solar eclipse. Meanwhile, according Oxford Dictionary, The umbra is the outer region of partially dim shadows cast by opaque objects.
The Myth of the Solar Eclipse
Almost similar to lunar eclipses, solar eclipses also have certain stories by ancient people. This includes myths and their relation to certain aspects of life.
One of the myths that developed in society is that the sun is believed to be eaten by evil beings. Launching the site National Geographic, the belief comes from the Vikings. They believed that there was a pair of wolves in the sky who were chasing the sun and catching it.
Likewise with ‘rumours’ that think a solar eclipse can affect one’s mood. Quoting from the site NASA, his party emphasized that the solar eclipse was purely a natural phenomenon and had nothing to do with it.